System and method for improved excess inventory distribution
First Claim
1. A method for providing electronic spare parts information to a buyer over a communication network, the method comprising:
- receiving from a plurality of surplus spare parts sellers electronic spare parts inventory information representing at least one spare part and representing availability of the at least one spare part;
storing the electronic inventory information in a database;
receiving from a spare parts buyer electronic spare parts demand information representing at least a demand for at least one spare part;
matching the electronic spare parts demand information with the electronic inventory information stored in the database to identify at least one matched spare part;
determining from the electronic spare parts inventory information whether the at least one matched spare part is available from the at least one of the plurality of surplus spare parts sellers;
providing electronic spare parts information representing the matched spare part when the at least one matched spare part is available from at least one of the plurality of surplus spare parts sellers; and
electronically providing the electronic spare parts information to the spare parts buyer.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides spare parts information to a buyer over a communication network. Electronic spare parts inventory information is transmitted to an information processor from a plurality of surplus spare parts sellers that represent at least one spare part available for sale. Spare parts buyers transmit demand information representing demand for at least one spare part and the information processor matches the demand with the electronic inventory information. When a matched spare part is located, the information processor determines whether the part is available according to rules set forth from the surplus spare parts sellers. If the matched parts are available, the information processor provides electronic spare parts information representing the matched and available spare part to the spare parts buyer.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method for providing electronic spare parts information to a buyer over a communication network, the method comprising:
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receiving from a plurality of surplus spare parts sellers electronic spare parts inventory information representing at least one spare part and representing availability of the at least one spare part;
storing the electronic inventory information in a database;
receiving from a spare parts buyer electronic spare parts demand information representing at least a demand for at least one spare part;
matching the electronic spare parts demand information with the electronic inventory information stored in the database to identify at least one matched spare part;
determining from the electronic spare parts inventory information whether the at least one matched spare part is available from the at least one of the plurality of surplus spare parts sellers;
providing electronic spare parts information representing the matched spare part when the at least one matched spare part is available from at least one of the plurality of surplus spare parts sellers; and
electronically providing the electronic spare parts information to the spare parts buyer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for providing electronic spare parts information to a buyer over a communication network, the system comprising:
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an electronic spare parts information module operable to receive from a plurality of surplus spare parts sellers electronic spare parts inventory information representing at least one spare part and representing availability of the at least one spare part;
an electronic database operable to store the electronic inventory information;
an electronic spare parts demand information module operable to receive from a spare parts buyer electronic spare parts demand information representing at least a demand for at least one spare part;
an electronic matching module operable to match the electronic spare parts demand information with the electronic inventory information stored in the database to identify at least one matched spare part;
an electronic availability module operable to determine whether the at least one matched spare part is available from the at least one of the plurality of surplus spare parts sellers, wherein the electronic availability module basis the determination at least in part on the electronic spare parts inventory information;
an electronic spare parts information module operable to provide electronic spare parts information representing the at least one matched spare part when the at least one matched spare part is available from at least one of the plurality of surplus spare parts sellers; and
a transmission module operable to electronically provide the electronic spare parts information to the spare parts buyer. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification